Weekly Register-Call/ Gilpin County News

New water works operator, bus stop, flags

Central City’s Council stepped further into the green by approving a solar panel system for the City’s water treatment plant at their meeting of March 2, 2010. Mayor Ron Slinger and Aldermen Ron Engels, Bob Giancola, Tom Reilly and Bob Spain were present.

Solar Saves $

The Aldermen approved a purchasing agreement with Sun Spot Solar, LLC to install and maintain solar panels at the Boodle Mill site to power the City’s water treatment plant which is adjacent to the Boodle. 312 panels, each about 3’ x 5’ will cover approximately 6,000 square feet of surface area. The solar system is designed to generate 135,000 Kilowatt hours per year (Kwh/yr), 125% of the monthly average energy consumption needed to operate the water plant. The 70 Kilowatt system will cost $285,000 which the City will pay to Sun Spot over a five year period. The City expects to save 57% in energy costs over the five year period ($10,499 per year, totaling $52,494). At the end of the five year period, the City will purchase the system for $9,975 (3.5% of the installation cost). Energy costs, after purchasing the system, are reduced to $0.00 (based on current consumption). The life cycle of the system is 20-25 years. The water plant remains connected to XCEL as a back-up so the plant will never be without power, however, while the solar panels generate energy, all excess power reversed the XCEL energy meter at the plant and build up a credit that the City can use if needed. With this system the City will pay a fixed rate of approximately 6.5 cents kwh ($7,935 annually) compared to the 2010 XCEL rate of 15.056 cents kwh. As part of the deal with Sun spot, the City allows use of and access to the land at the Boodle, provides insurance on the system for the five-year term of the purchasing agreement and waives City use taxes and fees for zoning, plan review and building permit.

Steve Cross of Sun Spot (based in Golden) presented the plan to the Council and told them the proposal had become time sensitive as the pricing had been based on a current XCEL rebate which is due to change soon so must be locked in with XCEL as soon as possible. The Aldermen awarded Cross $500 to get the application underway at XCEL. The Aldermen clarified that the solar system will be installed at the Boodle site, which is outside the City’s historical district and that the panels will not be attached to the Boodle structure itself.

Water System Operations

Last October the Council directed the City Manager to look into outsourcing day-to-day operations of the City’s water system. The Council considered two companies and ultimately selected Ramey Environmental Compliance, Inc. (REC) to take over operations of the water plant, pumps, reservoirs and general water distribution system. REC is a Colorado certified operator. The City will pay REC $8,050 per month until the contract is terminated, which can be done by either party with 30 days’ notice. REC is to provide a certified operator daily who is to prepare a hand written report and each visit. The operator will also assist in budget preparation. Operations had been handled by an employee of the City’s Public Works Department. That employee will return to duties with that department.

New Bus Stop

The Aldermen approved a request by John Zimpel and 132 Lawrence LLC to add a bus stop on Lawrence Street in front of the Division of Gaming. The “through” lane at that point will be painted with stripes just uphill from the Church/Lawrence Street intersection. Curb and sidewalk work will be done to put in a handicapped accessible crosswalk. Signage will be added to existing poles and mounted on new poles. All work will be done at the expense of Zimpel/132 Lawrence, LLC and the Council required letters-of-credit via the Public Improvement Agreement to pay for work if the developer fails to complete the project. Estimated cost of the project is $6,964.

RRCC Funding Request

Mayor Slinger declared a conflict-of-interest as he works for Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) as a fundraiser, and left the room as his colleagues discussed a funding request from the institution. Alderman Spain acted as Mayor Pro-Tem during Slinger’s absence. A motion by Alderman Reilly to contribute $1,500 from the Council’s discretionary fund, for a table of ten, failed with a vote of 2-2. Aldermen Reilly and Spain voted in favor; Aldermen Engels and Giancola voted against. Engels said the donation was not the best use of taxpayer dollars, however he offered to contribute personally, and invited others to join him, adding they should discuss it after the meeting. Alderman Giancola then moved to contribute $750 to purchase half a table. That motion passed 3-1 with Alderman Engels voting against.

Paying the Bills

Bills totaling $25,946 were approved for payment. That included $1,676 in legal expenses related to water litigation and $1,102 in legal expenses for the Young and Burg Simpson litigations. $9,860 went to guardrail repair (private insurance reimbursed) and $2,185 was spent on water accounting and engineering. The City had $388,673 in cash-on-hand as of February 25, 2010.

Council Comments

Alderman Giancola said he’d met with Finance Director Shannon Flowers regarding financial figures and was happy with adjustments that had been made. Flowers was very helpful, he said, and thanked her. Giancola had counted the number of signs on Lawrence Street (from the Red Dolly to Main Street). His tally: 80 signs. Finally, Giancola asked if the City enforces ordinances only upon complaint. Hailey told him the City has no Ordinance Enforcement Officer, so, when it comes to signs, enforcement is initiated only by complaint. Real estate companies have been notified of sign violations, said Hailey, and will be cited if they don’t comply. Snow removal violations are enforced, she said, and the Police Department monitors trash violations.

Public Comment

Barbara Thielemann, as a member of the Colorado State University Extension Advisory Board, informed the Council of an upcoming  Wind Energy workshop and said it was one of many things going on in the County that benefit the community and residents. She said she was pleased to see the City going solar and hoped there would be possibilities for homeowners and business owners to go solar in the future. She also complimented the City Manager on her new column in the Weekly Register-Call.

Another resident expressed concerns about the water department, applauding the City’s decision to contract Water Director services and for recent repairs to water tanks. She questioned the amount of water used every month and asked the Aldermen to “get the water department under control.” She also said a previous offer to purchase new flags for the City still stood. City Manager Lynnette Hailey said the City had ordered flags already and had cleaned the flag at City Hall.

Craig Ramirez, manager of Johnny Z’s introduced himself to the Council and said it was a pleasure working with the City.

Head’s Up

The policy for Central City Economic Development Incentives will be the topic of a work session in April.

Central City Council meets next on March 16, 2010.